Premier Protein Vanilla Shake (11.5 fl oz): 30g Protein, Labelgrade B-

Labelgrade: B- 72 / 100 — Premier Protein is the protein-per-calorie king of the RTD shake aisle — 30 g of protein for 159 calories is genuinely excellent (a 5.3:1 protein-to-calorie efficiency rivaling whey isolate powder). The Labelgrade is held back by the 30+ ingredient formulation: dual artificial sweeteners (sucralose + acesulfame potassium), three phosphate compounds for emulsion stability, carrageenan, and an extensive vitamin-mineral premix. This is a heavily engineered convenience product. If your goal is hitting protein totals at low calorie cost, the formulation does its job; if minimally-processed is your priority, plain Greek yogurt scores higher.

The short answer

Premier Protein Vanilla High Protein Shake delivers 30 g of protein in 159 calories per 11.5 fl oz (345 mL) bottle (USDA FDC 2622652) — the best protein-per-calorie ratio of any commonly-stocked ready-to-drink shake on the US market. Total sugar is 1 g (0 g added) thanks to dual artificial sweeteners (sucralose + acesulfame potassium). The Labelgrade is B- (72 / 100): the protein efficiency is genuinely excellent, but the ~30-ingredient formulation drags down the ingredient-quality and protein-density scores.

Why this Labelgrade

How it compares

Premier and Quest hit the same per-bottle macros. Quest’s shorter ingredient list and single-sweetener formulation make it the cleaner choice; Premier’s more comprehensive vitamin-mineral premix makes it slightly closer to a meal replacement. Greek yogurt and chicken hit similar protein counts with no engineered ingredients but lose on convenience.

Whole-food equivalent

One Premier Protein shake (30 g protein) equals roughly:

• 97 g of cooked chicken breast (about 3.4 oz)
• 170 g of Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt (just under a single-serve cup)
• 5 large eggs
• 130 g of plain canned tuna (about a small can)

The shake’s advantage is shelf-stability and zero prep. The whole-food alternatives win on ingredient simplicity and (usually) cost.

Scope

This page covers Premier Protein Vanilla High Protein Shake as represented in USDA Branded Foods FDC 2622652 (UPC 0643843717041), at the 11.5 fl oz / 345 mL single-bottle size. Premier Protein sells dozens of flavors and several formats (11.5 fl oz singles, larger multi-pack bottles, 30 g and 35 g protein versions). Per-bottle protein varies by SKU; the per-mL density and the Labelgrade methodology apply consistently across the line. Always check the actual bottle label.

Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)

Water, milk protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, contains less than 1% of high oleic sunflower oil, natural and artificial flavors, inulin, cellulose gel and cellulose gum, salt, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, carrageenan, tripotassium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, vitamin and mineral blend, magnesium phosphate, sodium ascorbate.